The Saanich Police have arrested a driver after he dodged officers at a traffic stop and later fled the scene of a serious crash on foot.
According to a police report, an on-foot officer with the Integrated Road Safety Unit was conducting enforcement on May 28 and attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation at around 4:40 pm along McKenzie Avenue.
While the officer was directing the driver into a parking lot, the driver instead accelerated and sped off westbound along McKenzie Ave towards Quadra Street. The vehicle was described by the officer as a black Mercedes SUV.
Only a few minutes later, Police said another Saanich officer came across a two-vehicle collision on McKenzie Avenue at Rainbow Street.
One of the vehicles involved in the crash was a black Mercedes SUV. Police said multiple witnesses on the scene told officers that the driver had fled on foot toward Rainbow Park.
Additional officers responded to the call and they were able to locate and arrest the driver, a 38-year-old Langford man, who is now facing four criminal and four motor vehicle act charges, according to Saanich PD.
The charges include Dangerous Driving, Refusing to Provide a Breath Sample, Flight from Police, Driving While Prohibited, No Driver’s Licence, Fail to Remain at the Scene of a Collision, Red Light at Intersection and Fail to Obey Traffic Sign.
Police said they were able to confirm that the Mercedes was the same vehicle that had dodged the Integrated Road Safety Unit.
According to the report, the driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash sustained serious injuries, but they are not believed to be life-threatening.
“We are asking the public to check their dashcam footage if they were in the area of McKenzie Avenue between Borden Street and Rainbow Street between the time of 4:35 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. If you believe you witnessed anything related to this event, please contact the Saanich
Police at 250-475-4321 and refer to file 20-11586,” said Cst. Markus Anastasiades in the press release.
Eastbound traffic on McKenzie Avenue was closed for over four hours as police remained on scene, conducting an investigation which is currently ongoing.
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